Committee backs changes to home‑occupation rules to allow small‑scale urban farming and other uses

The Planning & Development Committee on Aug. 3 recommended approval of CZ‑2026‑039, a text amendment to the Greenville County Zoning Ordinance that updates home‑occupation regulations to add small‑scale urban farming, expand permitted home‑business categories (including artists), allow certain uses up to 25% of parcel area, and set limits on nonresident employees and onsite clients.

Staff said the change aims to reduce the number of special‑exception requests to the Board of Zoning Appeals by adding commonly requested business types to the permitted‑use table. The amendment would limit nonresident employees and cap onsite clients at a maximum of three at one time for specified home‑business types; staff said this was partly to avoid triggering parking‑ and ADA‑related commercial requirements that could convert dwellings into de‑facto commercial facilities.

Committee members raised life‑safety and accessibility concerns. A building‑regulation staffer pointed to the risk if businesses brought clients into basements or other areas without separate exits and noted that providing required accessible parking could force structural changes. Committee members also asked whether existing home businesses would be grandfathered; staff said the draft does not include an explicit grandfather clause and that complaints would be handled based on whether the operation met current ordinance criteria.

Despite concerns about restrictions and rural versus urban applicability, the committee voted to recommend the amendment to full County Council for final action. Staff said the change is intended to create opportunities for home entrepreneurs while reducing repetitive appeals to the Board of Zoning Appeals.

Next steps: the ordinance will be placed on a County Council agenda for public hearing and final action.